Griffith, John T. 


History of the First Baptist Church 
of Wilkes-Barre and the First Welsh Baptist 
Church of Scranton, Penn'a 


DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


DIVINITY SCHOOL 
LIBRARY 


THE EARLY WELSH 


BAPTISTS © WILKES-BARRE 
_ AND SCRANTON 


JOHN T. GRIFFITH. D. D. 
“Crozer Seminary’s First Ordained,” 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2022 with funding from 
Duke University Libraries 


History of the First Baptist Church 
ee —————————— EE 
of Wilkes-Barre and the First Welsh 
Baptist Church of Scranton, Penn’a 


By JOHN T. GRIFFITH, D. D. 


AUTHOR OF 
MORGAN JOHN RHEES 


Brief Biographical Sketches of Welsh 
Baptist Ministers of Pennsylvania, Etc. 


COPYRIGHTED BY THE AUTHOR 


PRESS OF 
THE WILKES-BARRE RECORD 
WILEES-BARRE, PA, 
1905 


WIE. By 


This pamphlet is dedicated to the Rev. H. 
G. Weston, D. D., LL. D., who has been the 
greatly beloved President of Crozer Theological 


Seminary from its opening in 1868 until now. 


LERFE WS 


eee 


1 
All the cuts in this pamphlet rep- 9 
resent the ministers who officiated at 
| the Jubilee Services of the First Ss 


Welsh Baptist Church of Wilkes- 
Barre, Sundays, Nov. 19 and 26, 1905. 


—_— OO 


J. E. DAVIS, M. A. Pe bOWD= De IP: 


B. F. G. McGEE, 
2 D.D. 


D,. R. DAVIS. 


Div. S 

86174 

G¥S3H 
CONTENTS. 
eT 
Page 
First Welsh Baptist Church of Wilkes-Barre ......... 4 
peeeemmrene thc (C.Nrten. i102 a8 Ube oe wns elo 5 
C12 FT PLD AS 2. c ee Reg ee a rererte Paterape sg 2 | 17 
MPMI OMCOTS: 12 55 oa. 5 nie We kin es nk ae sd eee ee 21 
First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton— 

MEMES OEMISLOrYy =). 6 a6 bee ae oot eles ts oh 9 23 
MRE gre oi tele ee vig Wie Gg ol a ee een 4l 
RE MPES ee MISCO DY... 2. Sac bs eal lyn as calomel 42 
MES ie ihn a Gad ds Sia sale Bt 44 
MMMEPEMEE@MCCES 0 5.) 2. ee 3 ee ae aes jee ee 45 


William Richmond, founder of the Church............ 46 


INTRODUCTION. 


The sketch of the History of the First Welsh Baptist 
Church of Wilkes-Barre was delivered Sunday afternoon, 
Nov. 19, 1905, on the occasion of their Jubilee, when all 
their debts had been paid, and at the close the church 
unanimously voted to have the address published in a 
pamphlet form, and they pledged themselves to take one 
hundred copies. See “Souvenir Program” and the 
“Wilkes-Barre Record” for full reports of these memorable 
nieetings, - 

Inasmuch as the writer had been gathering the history 
of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton for years, 
he felt that the history of both churches would be very 
proper together, as both occupy important centres in the 
Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys. 

The writer is far from claiming perfection, but these 
two sketches are presented as the foundation of Welsh 
Raptist history in these two cities, and as his tribute to the 
memory of the founders of these churches, many of whom 
were among his most intimate friends forty years ago. 


; JOHN T. GRIFFITH. 
Nov. 21, 1905. 


REV. J. M. LLOYD. 


MEADE STREET CHURCH. 


Pe me 


“ The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are 
glad.” Psalm 126: 3. 


Christian Friends:—Permit me at the very beginning 
of my address to sincerely congratulate you both as pastor 
and church on your great success in liquidating the debt, 
and in beautifying your church home, so as to make such a 
meeting as this possible. I have been requested by your 
committee to give an address on the history of your church, 
but in attempting to do this I wish to say that it is a difficult 
task to do so as completely as it might be done, because 
of the fact that some time ago the early records of the 
church were lost by fire, but we will do the best we can. 
Baptist history in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre dates as far 
back as 1762, when the Rev. William Marsh, a Baptist 
minister from Newtown, New Jersey, and others came and 
started a colony at Mill Creek, about three miles north of 
Wilkes-Barre. Marsh was originally a Congregationalist 
minister, having been ordained as pastor of a Congrega- 
tional Church at Mansfield, Connecticut, in 1749, but in 
1751 he and his associates moved to Newtown, New Jersey, 
and there in 1752 he was baptized by Elkanah Fuller. Then 
he baptized Elkanah Fuller, and in 1753 he baptized others, 
and in November, 1756, these were organized into what is 
known as the Wantage Baptist Church, New Jersey, and 
in 1762 he and others, as stated, came into the Wyoming 
Valley and settled at Mill Creek, and in October, 1763, he 
and several others were massacred by the Indians, so that 
this ended the work at that place. 

Now, this was the first attempt to establish a church in 
this valley; it is true that Zinzindorff and other Moravian 
preachers had been in the valley in 1742, but. this was 
‘among the Indians, however, William Marsh was the first to: 
preach among the white people, and if those Indians had 
behaved themselves, the first church in the Wyoming Val- 
ley would have been a Baptist Church. 


6 
ITEMS PERTAINING TO WILLIAM MARSH. 


In the minutes of the Philadelphia Baptist Association 
for 1761, there is a list of 29 churches and their pastors, 
representing Pennsylvania, Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, 
New England and New York, gathered by Morgan Ed- 
wards, among them, we find Newtown, Jersey, with Wm. 
Marsh as pastor. This was the first time for such a list to 
be published. His name also appears in a similar relation- 
ship in the minutes of 1762, and 1763, this was the last time 
for his name to be reported, but in the minutes for 1764, 
there is a list of 31 Baptist churches, with the dates of their 
origin, and the names of their pastors at the time of their 
organization. Among them we have Newtown, Sussex 
County, New Jersey, organized November 14, 1756, with 8 
members, with William Marsh as their pastor. I state these 
facts to you, because if any of you should happen to consult 
a History of Luzerne County in the Historical Library of 
Wilkes-Barre you would find William Marsh set forth as a 
Congregationalist—a great many of the Congregationalists 
of Connecticut became Baptists in those years, and among 
them William Marsh. This, I trust, will put this matter 
right for coming historians in this valley. 

Though different persons are spoken of as having 
preached in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre even in the 18th 
Century, yet it seems that the honor of having first estab- 
lished a Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre belongs to the Rev. 
A. L. Post as far as human instrumentality goes. In August, 
1842, the Rev. A. L. Post of Montrose, Pa., began a series 
of meetings in Wilkes-Barre which were owned of God in 
the hopeful conversion of several precious souls who: fol- 
lowed Jesus in baptism. Mr. Post was a missionary aided 
by the Baptist Board of Pennsylvania. In the month of 
September, 1842, he began a meeting at New Troy, the 
result of which was the baptism of some twelve or fifteen 
converts—materials were thus gathered for the formation . 
of a Baptist Church, hence by request delegates from 
neighboring churches met at Forty Fort December 7, 1842, 
viz.: Braintrim, Eaton, Northmoreland, Exeter, Plymouth, 


7 


Lehman, Bridgewater, Tunkhannock, Union and Hunting- 
ton. The Council was organized by electing Rev. D. Dim- 
ock, Moderator, and Rev. J. Melvin, Clerk. After prayerful 
deliberation it was unanimously decided to recognize the 
applicants as the Wilkes-Barre and Kingston Baptist 
Church. 

Rev. D. Dimock preached the sermon from I Cor. 
3:16, and the hand of fellowship was given by the Rev. 
William Frear, charge to the church by the Rey. J. Clark, 
prayer by the Rev. J. Melvin. The constituent members 
numbered 33—13 brethren and 20 sisters. Brother Post 
continued to preach to them occasionally until near the 
close of 1843. In the beginning of 1845 they called the 
Rev. C. A. Hewett of Milton, who became pastor, and who 
preached both at Wilkes-Barre and Kingston until Decem- 
ber 24, 1848, when the Wilkes-Barre branch decided that 
he should give all his time to them. Such was the begin- 
ning of the Baptist cause in Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. B. F. 
G. McGee, D. D., is now the pastor of the above church. 

f As far as I know, there was nothing but English preaching 

/ in Wilkes-Barre until the early part of the sixties. From 

about the year 1865 Welsh Baptists began to come here— ~ 
among whom we might name William Gregory and his 
family from Hyde Park. When Mr. Gregory came here he 
lived next door to the writer on what is now known as 
Eynon street, Scranton—we were both members of the 
Welsh Baptist Church, Hyde Park. Nathaniel Griffiths, 
Jonah Griffiths, John Griffiths and their families came here 
from Schuylkill. Henry W. Jones and wife; James Rees, 
a local preacher from Pittston; Aneurin Jones (Aneurin 
Fardd) and iamily from Hyde Park; William Richards, 
Henry H. Jones, George T. Morgan, Nanticoke, and David 
Davies, who lived on the mountain the other side of Ed- 
wardsville, and walked regularly to Wilkes-Barre. Later 
Evan Rowland and family, John R. Jones and family, John 
Parry and family and others came here. 

Three of the daughters of John R. Jones are members 
with us at the Immanuel Church, Edwardsville, viz.: Mrs. 


8 


Mary Parry, Mrs. Alice Hughes and Mrs, Elizabeth Evans, 
and last January I baptized one of his little grand-daughters 
—Edith Hughes—at Edwardsville, 


These members were very much scattered in this sec- 
tion, hence their meetings were held at different places. 
There seems to be different views as to the place where the 
Welsh of all denominations began their meetings here. 
Some say that the three denominations, viz.: the Welsh Cal- 
vinistic Methodists, the Welsh Congregationalists and the 
Welsh Baptists, began together at the Empire—others 
claim that they began at Rolling Mill Hill or Newtown as 
the place was called then. This is the view of the Rey. T. 
C. Edwards, D. D., now pastor of the Welsh Congrega- 
tional Church, Edwardsville, but who was pastor of the 
Welsh Congregational Church of Wilkes-Barre in 1872, 
and was the first pastor of that church. He told me Tues- 
day, November 7, 1905, that after he came here he often 
used to hear the people speak of their meetings at New- 
iown, and he also said that the Welsh Baptists met in a 
hall on the Square, which proves that they did not have a 
meeting house of their own in 1872. 


As far as I can learn they came to the Empire from 
what was then called Newtown and later Rolling Mill Hill, 
and at the Empire the separation was made. After this the 
Welsh Baptists had some preaching services at the First 
Baptist Church, then situated on Northampton street be- 
tween Franklin and River streets, but at last they rented 
Phoenix Hall, on the Square, where they held their regular 
Sunday services, and their week evening services at the 
homes of the members. They were supplied by the neigh- 
boring pastors and others, such as the Rev. Fred Evans 
(Ednyfed), Hyde Park; John W. James, Pittston; A. J. 
Morton, Upper Lehigh; James Rees, a local preacher 
already named, preached occasionally, and the writer, who 
was then a member of the Welsh Baptist Church, Hyde 
Park, and a student at Lewisburg, preached several times 
in the hall on the Square in 1868. 


9 


After having held their meetings thus for some years 
they decided to organize themselves into an independent 
Welsh Baptist Church. This was done in June, 1868, in 
Phoenix Hall. The Revs, F. Evans of Hyde Park and 
John W. James of Pittston officiated, and in the evening 
the Lord’s Supper was administered to the newly organized 
church. This was a happy and a memorable day for the 
Welsh Baptists of Wilkes-Barre. I am sorry that I have 
not been able to find the names of the constituent members 
—doubtless most of those already named were among 
them. 

Soon after the organization of the church, Thomas 
Morgans and Martha Evans were baptized by the Rev. 
Daniel E, Bowen, who was then pastor of the First Baptist 
Church. The church continued to depend on supplies until 
1869, when they called the Rev. Theophilus Jones from 
Mahanoy City. Mr. Jones was an able preacher, and 
a man of ripe experience, and as such was well qualified 
to guide the young church. Among the first baptized by 
Mr. Jones were Miss Margaret Jones and Catherine Grif- 
fiths. The time had now come when they felt that they 
must have a church home—up to this date they had met at 
several places—the school house at Rolling Mill Hill, the 
Empire, the First Baptist Church on Northampton street, 
Phoenix and Sutton Hall on the Square, and Williams’s 
Hall on East Market street, but now they had come to the 
conclusion that a meeting house of their own must be 
erected, and this need was supplied by the building of a 
meeting house on Sheridan street. I have not been able 
to find the details of this undertaking, but have been told 
that it was done some time in 1873, at a cost of $7,500.00. 

Who can describe the joy of the church when they set- 
tled in their first home here, after having wandered from 
place to place for years. After a pastorate of several years 
Mr. Jones resigned and retired from the stated ministry on 
account of his age, though he continued to render valuable 
service to the churches as a supply until the Lord called 
him to his reward, February 13, 1896, and his funeral ser- 


10 


vices were held in this building. The first statistics that I 
have been able to find were published in the report of the 
Association that was held at Hyde Park in 1872. They 
were as follows: 

Baptized, 4; restored, 8; by letters, 13; dismissed by 
letters, 29; exclusion, 2. Present membership, 64. 

Such was the state of the church in 1872. In Novem- 
ber, 1876, the Rev. Ebenezer Edwards, then of Webster, 
New York, accepted a call from the church and began his 
work at once. Mr. Edwards was an excellent man and an 
able preacher, and when he came here he had the advan- 
tage of finding the church established in its own home, so 
that he could give all his time to his pulpit and pastoral 
work, which he did faithfully and successfully, as may be 
scen from the reports that appeared from time to time in 
“The Dawn.” The name of Mr. Edwards is widely known 
as an able writer and historian. He served the church as 
pastor until December, 1880, when he accepted a call from 
the Baptist Church at Coatesville, Pa. In order that we 
may have an idea of the progress of the work during this 
pastorate I will give vou the statistics as they appeared. 
yearly in “The Dawn.” In August, 1877, the Welsh Bap- 
tist Association was held at Ashland, the statistics from this 
church were as follows: Increase by baptism, 9; restora- 
tion, 11; letters, 14; decrease by letters, 11; exclusion, 7; 
deaths, 3; present membership, 77; Sunday school, 120; 
collections, for missions, $7.50. 

In August, 1878, the Association was held at Plym- 
cuth, when we find the report as follows: Increase by bap- 
tism, 6; restoration, 8; letters, 6; decrease by letters, 2; 
exclusion, 5; death, 1. Present membership, 83; Sunday 
school, 115. In August, 1879, the Association was held at 
Parsons, when the following items were given: Increase 
by baptism, 5; restoration, 6; letters, 9. Decrease by letters, 
7; exclusion, 2; death, 1. Present membership, 93; Sunday 
school, 115; collections for Foreign Missions, $7.40; Home 
Missions, $5.00. In August, 1880, the Association was held 
at Minersville, when the§report from this church was as 


1h 


follows: Increase by baptism, 3; restoration, 8; letters, 38. 
Decrease by letters, 11; excxlusion, 7; present member- 
ship, 124; collections, Foreign Missions, $11.00; Pennsyl- 
vania Baptist Education Society, $5.00. Such was the state 
of the church when Mr. Edwards left in 1880 according to. 
the reports. 

The church depended again on supplies and remained 
pastorless for nearly four years, yet the work went on as 
well as could be expected, as may be seen from the annual 
reports. In August, 1881, the Association was held at 
Lansford, when the report was as follows: Increase by; 
baptism, 5: restoration, 15; letters,5; decrease by letters, 35; 
death, 1; present membership, 95; Sunday school, 75; col- 
lection for Foreign Missions, $18.18. In August, 1882, the 
Association was held at Nanticoke, when we find the fol- 
lowing items in their report: Increase by baptism, 1; 
restoration, 3; letters, 22; decrease by letters, 17; exclusion, 
6; death, 1; present membership, 98: Sunday school, 69; 
collection for Foreign Missions, $24.00. InAugust, 1883, 
the Association was held at Shenandoah, when the statistics 
from this church were as follows: Increase by baptism, 
none; restoration, 5; letters, 12; decrease by letters, 12; ex- 
clusion, 14; present membership, 90; Sunday school, 76; 
cellection for Foreign Missions, $24.00. In August, 1883, 
the church kept up in its pastorless condition, and we see 
also from these reports the wonderful changeableness of 
church life in America. 

In the spring of 1884 a call was extended to the Rev. 
Sampson Jones of Beaufort, Monmouthshire, Wales. Mr. 
Jones came here the latter part of May, 1884, highly recom- 
mended. His name indicated strength, and he was indeed 
a strong preacher. 

It might be proper to state here that the church had 
paid $800.00, which was the debt they owed on their first 
meeting house on Sheridan street, and had enlarged and 
improved the meeting house at an expense of about 
$1,200.00 preparatory to the coming of Mr. Jones. This 
was a noble thing to do. The coming of Mr. Jones was 


12 


followed by God’s approval, as shown in the enlargement 
of the congregations and in the frequent additions to the 
church. In the fall cf 1884 the Welsh Association was held 
at Edwardsville, and Mr. Jones was one of the preachers of 
the occasion, and his first text was Luke 2:25-32. On 
Sunday evening he and the writer preached at Plymouth 
irom Col. 1:28 and Col. 1:15-18. Inasmuch as I was the 
youngest I preached first, and when he asked me where 
my text was, and when I told him that it was Col. 1:15-18, 
I well remember how excited he became for a moment, 
when he said: “Why, I intend to preach from that chap- 
ter.” “Well,” said I, “never mind, there is material enough 
in that chapter for both of us,” and he preached an excel- 
lent sermon from the 28th verse of the same chapter, 
“Whom we preach,’ &c. That was his first Association 
to attend in America, and he made an excellent impression. 
Nine of the preachers who took at that association have 
gone to better reward. 


in August, 1885, the Association was held at Olyphant, 
and the report from this church contains the following 
facts: Increase by baptism, 47; by letters, 11; restoration, 
12; decrease by letters, 4; exclusion, 6; death, 6; present 
membership, 161; Sunday school, 175; collection for For- 
cign Missions, $24.00. 


In August, 1886, the Association was held at Slating- 
ton, when the figures were not quite so large: Increase by 
baptism, 4; by letters, 9; restoration, 16; decrease by let- 
ters, 12; exclusion, 15; death 4; present membership, 135; 
Sunday school, 120. The report of 1887 is more encour- 
aging which was sent to the Association that was held at 
Providence May 21-23: Increase by baptism, 22; by let- 
ters, II; restoration, 6; decrease by letters, 5; exclusion, 
1; death, 3; present membership, 152; collection—Welsh 
Association Missions—$25.43. In 1872 at its annual 
meeting at Hyde Park the Welsh Baptist Association or- 
ganized a Welsh Home Mission Society to aid in the plant- 
ing and support of churches, within its own bounds, and for 


13 


years it rendered valuable service and is still doing good 
service. 

In May, 1888, the Association was held at Plymouth, 
when the letter from this church contained the following 
items: Increase by baptism, 4; by letters, 31; restoration, 
4; decrease by letters, 9; exclusion, 11; deaths, 2; present 
membership, 168; Sunday school, 150; collection for For- 
eign Missions, $20.00. 

Thus the work went on prosperously. About three 
years after the settlement of Mr. Sampson Jones the 
church decided to change their location from Sheridan 
street to Meade street. Hence on a certain Sunday even- 
ing the members raised among themselves $1,000.00 to 
buy the lot on Meade street on which the church now 
stands. The work on Meade street meeting house was 
begun in 1888 and finished in 1889. Before this house was 
finished the meeting house on Sheridan street was 
destroyed by fire, which made it necessary for them to move 
to Jeremy Hail, and here they worshiped until they en- 
tered this house on Meade street, which doubtless was an 
occasion of great joy to all who were interested in the wel- 
fare of this church. 

The present meeting house was dedicated August 17, 
18 and 19, 1889. The following ministers officiated on the 
occasion: Saturday evening—Revs. Jacob E. Davies and 
William D. Thomas. Sunday—aAt to A. M., Revs. E. Jen- 
kins and John W. Williams, D. D.; at 2 P. M., Revs. Hugh 
Davies, Calvinistic Methodist, and G. Frear, D. D., pastor 
of the First Baptist Church; at 6 P. M., Revs. E. J. Morris 
(Cong.) and John W. Williams, D. D. Monday—At to 
A. M., Rev. I. G. Lewis (Gwrhyd) (Cong.); at 2 P. M., 
Reys. T. C. Edwards (Cynonfardd), D. D. (Cong.) and A. J. 
Morton; at 6 P. M., Revs. B. D. Thomas, D. D., Toronto, 
and John W. Williams, D. D. These were great meetings. 
Notwithstanding the condition of the church caused by the 
fire of 1888, yet the following facts appear in the report 
that was sent to the Association which was held at Hyde 
Park in May, 1889: Increase by baptism, 3; letters, 10; 


t4 


restoration, 8; decrease by letters, 6; exclusion, 13; death, 
3; present membership, 161; Sunday school, 168; collec- 
tion for Foreign Missions, $9.89. 

Mr. Jones served the church until 1890, when he re- 
signed and returned to Wales and settled at Forest-town, 
near Pontypridd. This was his second pastorate with that 
church. 

The church remained pastorless for over two years, but 
was regularly supplied with preaching by different pastors. 
In the spring of 1892 they extended a call to the Rev. John 
T. Lloyd, then at Linn Grove, Iowa. Brother Lloyd accep- 
ted the call and began his pastorate here June 5, 1892. Ina 
letter to the writer Dr. Lloyd states that the church at that 
time was in rather a low state, burdened with a debt of 
more than $8,000.00, so that it meant hard work to remove 
this burden, hence as soon as the new pastor was on the 
field both pastor and people went to work with all their 
might, so that with God’s blessing a happy change was seen 
in the condition of the church. The young people were 
organized both before and after what is known as the Bap- 
tist Young People’s Union—and as far as I have been in- 
formed, the young people of this church have always acted 
in harmony with the pastor and the older members, and 
have been faithful and helpful in all things that were pro- 
posed for the advancement of the church. This is as it 
ought to be—there should be no disagreement on the 
eround of age in any church. Mr. J. W. Lloyd was the 
first president of the B. Y. P. U. of this church. “The young 
and old should associate together for mutual benefit. God 
has associated the young and the old together, and they 
need each other’s society and fellowship. The aged need 
the daring and hope, and cheer of the warm young heart. 
The young have need of the wisdom and conservatism and 
forethought and practicality of the instructed heart. The 
one balances the other. Wherever we see such association, 
we see mutual benefit. We have beautiful illustrations in 
the Bible—Eli and Samuel, Naomi and Ruth, Elijah and 
Elisha, Josiah and his associates. Aged Christians should 


15 
seek the young in the Christian life, whom they can help by 
their experience; and young Christians should seek those 
advanced, whose life they can freshen by their vivacity and 
eheer.” 

Happy is the church where the aged and the young 

are thus associated. 

Also, the children were organized under the name of 
“Buds of Promise,’”’ under the care of Mrs. Lewis Edwards 
—and all went to work for the purpose of building the 
church, and removing the debt—the pastor went here and 
there through the State to seek help wherever he 
could, and God crowned the efforts of both pastor and 
people with success. Congregations increased, additions 
were frequent, and the debt was fast being paid, but in 
the midst of this work the pastor was called to take charge 
ci the Welsh Baptist Church of Youngstown, Ohio, and 
began his work there December 4, 1898. When Dr. Lloyd 
left Wilkes-Barre for Youngstown the church here gave 
him a farewell reception, at which they presented him with 
a handsome and costly address as as token of their love to 
him and appreciation of his service. 

In his review of his work here he says that he bap- 
tized 80, restored 85, and received by letters 25, 190 in all. 
He says also that the debt had been reduced to $3,500.00 
when he left, of which he raised over $2,000.00 outside the 
church, and in speaking of the church he says that he never 
saw people who worked more harmoniously than they did. 
It is a pleasant thing for a pastor to be able to think and 
to speak thus of those with whom he has labored for years. 
The church depended on supplies again until the fall of 
1901, when a call was extended to the Rev. W. J. John, 
then pastor of the Bethany Church, Gowerton, near Swan- 
sea, Wales. Mr. John came here with excellent recom- 
mendations and his life since he has been in America 
proves their correctness. He spent two happy and pros- 
perous years as pastor of this church, when he left to take 
charge of the Welsh Baptist Church of New Castle, Pa 
Wednesday evening, October 28, 1903, a farewell meeting 


16 


was held, at which the church presented him with a gold- 
headed cane as a token of their love to him. The church 
greatly increased in its congregations and sipirtual tone 
under his ministry, after having been for nearly five years. 
without a pastor. 

After the departure of Brother John the church re- 
mained pastorless only a few months, when they called Rev. 
J. M. Lloyd, D. D., the present pastor. He came here in 
the spring of 1904 from Freedom, New York. When he 
came here he also, like his brother, was confronted with a 
debt—only not quite so heavy. When his brother came 
here the debt was more than $8,000.00, when he came it 
was $3,500.00, but my experience has been the older the 
debt the harder to raise. The first question was, how to 
get rid of this burden? Different plans were thought of, 
but they found out that nothing would do but for all indi- 
viduaily to do their part. This has been done, the debt has 
been paid, the church has greatly prospered financially and 
spiritually, and we are here to-day to join together in prais- 
ing God, to whom all the glory belongs for having so 
greatly blessed them both as pastor and people in this noble 
work. 

When the present pastor began in 1904 the member- 
ship was 157. The statistics in the report to the Association 
keld with the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton May 
21-23, 1905, are as follows: Increase by baptism, 11; let- 
ters, 7; restoration, 22; decrease by death, 5; present mem- 
bership, 215. 

By this sketch we see that during a period of nearly 40 
years this church has passed through many changes, yet 
through them all the Lord has been with them, so that they 
are now in a better position to do more for the cause in 
general than they have ever been before. 

We see also that this is the first Welsh Baptist Church, 
not only of Wilkes-Barre, but of the entire lower region of 
the Wyoming Valley—there is a sense in which it may be 

said that this church is the mother of all the Baptist 
churches found in Plymouth, Parsons, Edwardsville, Nanti- 


17 


coke and Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre, as all these have 
been organized since this was. 

The Parrish Street Baptist Church has had what may 
be called two beginnings. It was first organized as a mis- 
sior by the iate Rev. G. Frear, D. 'D., but after that there 
was a kind of a dissolution, and they were reorganized by 
the First Welsh Baptist Church. It is in that sense we re- 
gard it asa branch of the Welsh. 

So that this church occupies a very prominent and 
honorable position in relation to the Welsh Baptist churches 
of this part of the Wyoming Valley. 


BRIEF SKETCHES OF ITS PASTORS. 


The organization of a church after the Apostolic pat- 
tern is very simple—pastors, deacons. In his letter to the 
Phillippians Paul says:—‘‘To all the saints which are at 
Phillippi, with bishops and deacons.” 

“No hierarchical prelacy here. No three orders of the 
niinistry—bishops, priests and deacons; but simply these, 
bishops, or presbyters or elders and deacons.”—W. 
Hoyt, D. D. 

This is the view of such church historians as Barrow, 
Burton, Mosheim, &c., and even Archbishop Whately 
says:—‘“Though there was one Lord, one faith, one bap- 
tism for all of these (churches), yet they were a distinct 
independent community on earth, united by the common 
principles on which they were founded by their mutual 
agreement, affection and respect; but not having one recog- 
nized head on earth, or acknowledging the sovereignty of 
one of these societies over others. Each bishop originally 
presided over one church.” Mosheim says:—“A bishop 
during the first and second centuries was a person who had 
charge of one Christian assembly,” &c. So this church, in 
common with others of a similar faith, has had its bishops 
or pastors—and I shall now give you simply brief sketches 


of their lives; 


18 
THEOPHILUS JONES, THE FIRST PAS@GR: 


Mr. Jones was born at Caerphili, Wales, January, 1810. 
He was one cf 17 children, he being the 14th. His parents’ 
names were Thomas and Catherine Jones—they were 
natives of New Castle Emlyn, Cardiganshire. He was con- 
verted when quite young under Christmas Evans at Caer- 
phili. He was educated at Pontypool Baptist College, so 
his son, Mr. D. M. Jones, thinks. He was ordained as 
pastor of the churches of Bwlchygwynt and Bwlchewydd. 
He came to America in 1843. His first pastorate in America 
was with the Welsh Baptist Church of New York City, and 
his last was with the First Welsh Baptist Church of Wilkes- 
Barre. He died at Wilkes-Barre, February 13, 1896, and 
was buried in Hollenback Cemetery. He was one of the 


ablest preachers of the Welsh Baptists. 


((See ‘‘The Dawn” for April, 1896, for a more elaborate 
account of his life by the writer.) 


EBENEZER EDWARDS, THE SECOND PASTOR. 


Mr. Edwards was born at Llangollen, North Wales, in 
the year 1824. He was a son of the Rev. John Edwards, 
Rhuthyn, known later as Edwards Nantyglo, Brynmawr, 
¢c. He was baptized when quite young at the Tabernacle 
Baptist Church, Cardiff, Wales, by the Rev. David Jones. 
He was educated at Haverfordwest Baptist College, and 
ordained at Pembroke, South Wales, in 1847. He came to 
America the first time in 1850 and settled for a short time 
as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Danville, Pa. 
Then he came to Pittston Welsh Church. That church was 
named “Ebenezer,” after the first name of Edwards, viz.: 
Ebenezer—he was its first pastor. His last pastorate was 
with the English Baptist Church of Minersville, Pa. He 
died at Allentown, Pa., and was buried there January 29, 
1901. His widow still lives at this date (November 9, 1905,) 
with her daughter, wife of Prof. D. Miles, at Allentown. 
Mr. Edwards was noted as a writer and successful com- 


petitor at the eisteddfods. 


(See “Brief Sketches of Welsh Baptist Ministers” by the 
writer for a fuller history of his life.) 


19 
SAMPSON JONES, THE THIRD PASTOR. 


Mr. Jones was born at Garth, near Llangollen, North 
Wales, in 1843, and was baptized at the same place when 
quite young by the Rev. William Williams. He was edu- 
cated at Llangollen Baptist College, and ordained at Stay- 
little, January 29, 1869. He came to Wilkes-Barre in 1884 
and returned to Wales in 1890 and re-settled with the 
Yoresttown Church, near Pontypridd, and died there Sep- 
tember 13, 1898, and was buried in the Taffvale Cemetery. 


JOHN T. LLOYD, D. D., THE FOURTH PASTOR. 


Mr. Lloyd was born at Penycae, Denbighshire, North 
Wales, January 31, 1857. His parents’ names were Joseph — 
and Mary Lloyd. He was baptized at the same place by the 
Rev. William Roberts May 30, 1869, and began to preach 
there in 1877. He was ordained at Tyldesley, England, 
April, 1882. He came to America in 1884, and since then 
has served Dawn, Missouri, Linn Grove, Iowa, Wilkes- 
Barre, Pa., and is now with the Welsh Baptist Church of 
Youngstown, Ohio. He has been very happy and prosper- 
ous in all of his pastorates. 


WJ. JOHN, THE FIFTH PASTOR. 


Mr. John was born at Kenfig Hall, Wales, February 1, 
1857. The fifth pastor is one day younger than the fourth 
paster. His parents’ names were Thomas and Catherine 
John. He was baptized at the age of 14 years at Pisgah, 
Pyle, South Wales, by the Rev. Joshua Thomas. He be- 
gan to preach at Tondu in October, 1875, soon after his 
conversion. His parents had moved there from Kenfig 
Hill and he had gone with them. He was educated at 
Bridgend, Wales, and Huline Cliffe College, Derbyshire, 
England. He was ordained as pastor of the Calvary English 
Baptist Church, Ogmore Valley, South Wales, March 9, 
1885. He is now pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of 
New Castle, Pa, He is a noble man and a good preacher, 


20 


JOSEPH M. LLOYD, D. D., THE SIXTHeARS 
PRESENT PASTOR. 


Mr. Lloyd was born at Penycae, North Wales, August 
10, 1862. His parents’ names were Joseph and Mary Lloyd. 
He was baptized at Penycae, his native home, in 1876 by 
the Rev. William Edwards of Cefn Mawr, in the absence 
of the pastor, the Rev. William Roberts, who was then very 
sick. He began to preach at Rhosllanerchrhugog, of 
which the renowned and scholarly John Williams was at 
one time pastor. He came to America in 1882 and was 
ordained as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Miners- 
ville, Pa., May 5, 1884, but is now your esteemed and suc- 
cessful pastor. You have noticed that the present pastor 
and the fourth pastor are two brothers, and it can be truly 
said of both that they have been very successful in their 
noble work in the Christian ministry. 

The first three of the pastors of this church have gone 
to their reward, and the last three are living. May the 
memory of the dead be properly honored, and may those 
who are living be spared for many years to serve their 
generation, so that when we shall all meet at the great re- 
union the Master may say to each of us:—‘Well don, thou 
good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few 
things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou 
into the joy of thy Lord.” 


wt 


21 


FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF PRESENT 
OFFICERS, HVC, OF TEE CHURCH: 


ERESENT OFFICERS 


Rev. J. M. Lloyd, D. D.—Pastor. 

D. J. Thomas—Financial Secretary. 
Charles Hammond—Recording Secretary. 
John S. Hammond—tTreasurer. 

J. S. Hammond—Chorister. 

Thomas D. Williams—Assistant. 

Miss Anna Doughton—Organist. 

‘Miss Edith Lloyd—Assistant. 


DEACONS. 


John W. Davies, E. M. Rowland, William D. Jones, 
Isaac Doughton, Thomas D. Williams, David J. Thomas, 
Richard R. Davies, Joseph W. Lloyd, John sie Ham- 
mond, John T. Williams, John Butler. 


TRUSTEES. 


Joseph W. Lloyd—President. 

David J. Thomas—Secretary. 

J. S. Hammond—tTreasurer. 

E. M. Rowland, Richard R. Davies, Thomas Ham- 
mond. 


BIBLE SCHOOL. 


David J. Williams—Superintendent. 
John G. Davies—Assistant. 
Margaret P. Phillips—Secretary. 
D. J. Thomas—Treasurer. 

William Doughton—Chorister. 
Edgar Butler—Organist. 


22 
BEN POL 
Charies Hammond—President. 
Edwin Rees—Vice President. 
Margaret Williams—Secretary. 
Thomas Phillips—Treasurer. 


Margaret Morgan—Chorister. 
Edith Lloyd—Organist. 


LADIES’ AID. 


Mary T. Morgan—President. 
Margaret Doughton—Vice President. 
Hannah J. Lloyd—Secretary. 
Elizabeth Morgan—Treasurer. 


LIBRARIANS. 


Cyril Hammond, John Davies, Thomas Davies. 


USHERS. 


William Doughton, Thomas Jones, John S. Lloyd, 
Thomas Phillips, Edwin Rees, John Lewis, Herbert Lloyd, 
Edgar Butier. 


JUBILEE COMMITTEE. 


Peter P. Jones, Thomas R. Morgan, Thomas Ham- 
mond, Charles Hammond, Richard R. Davies, John 
Stephen Hammond, John T. Williams, John G. Davies. 


MUSICAL COMMITTEE. 


J. S. Hammond, G. J. Jones, Thomas J. Lewis, T. D. 
Williams, D. J. Williams, John Butler, William Doughton. 


“Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy 
palaces.” 


wig 


REV. J. CROMWELL HUGHES, B. A., 
Pastor, 


FIRST WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH, Scranton, Pa, 


+ 


23 
1849—1905. 


HISTORY OF THE FIRST WELSH BAPTIST 
CHURCH OF SCRANTON, PA. 


Scranton is now the county seat of Lackawanna 
County, Pennsylvania, and is one of the most prosperous 
cities in the State, but at the time to which we shall refer 
in giving a sketch of the First Welsh Baptist Church it was 
a small place and included then in Luzerne County, as 
~ Lackawanna County was not then formed. Baptist history 
in the Lackawanna Valley may be dated as far back as 1793, 
some go as far back as the Tripps in 1771. Elder William 
Bishop settled in this valley about 1793, occupying a hewn 
log cabin on a clearing of 300 acres of land that is now the 
site of a considerable portion of the City of Scranton. Sep- 
tember 20, 1795, “Constant Searl, Daniel Taylor and James 
Abbott sold to the Rev. William Bishop, ‘the first settled 
minister of the Gospel in the Township of Providence, 
County of Luzerne, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,’ 
nearly 300 acres in behalf of the Susquehanna Company,” 
&c. (See Deed Book VI at Wilkes-Barre Court House.) 
He was the first resident minister of any denomination in 
this valley. His field of labor extended from Blakely to 
Wilkes-Barre, a distance of 25 miles. He was a native of 
England. He died in this county, March 23, 1816, aged 67 
years. (See Minutes Wyoming Association, 1892.) But 
my purpose in this paper is to give a sketch of the First 
Welsh Baptist Church. 


CHAPTER I 


Among other nationalities who came to these parts of 
the State to open and work in the mines during the 19th 
Century we find many Welsh. The most of them had been 
accustomed in their native land to attend their different 
churches and Sunday schools. They were determined to 
have the same privilege in their adopted country, “so about 
the year 1845 a Union church was founded in a small school 


24 
house in Slocum Hollow, a locality included in the present 
Eighth (8th) Ward of the city. This small Union church 
contained elements of wondrous expansion and extension. 
It was the seed out of which have grown all the Welsh 
religious interests now located in the West Side. The 
public services of the Union church were conducted by 
clergymen connected with the various denominations in 
its membership, Baptists, Calvinistic Methodists, and Con- 
eregationalists, each providing ministerial supply one Sab- 
bath in every month, the fourth and sometimes fifth Sab- 
baths were set apart to invoke God’s blessing on the work 
and messages of the prophets. The clergymen who repre- 
sented the Baptists were the late Rev. William Richmond, 
then of Blakeley, and the late Rev. D. E. Bowen, then of 
Carbondale. Things continued thus until the year 1849, 
when the Baptist members of the church left and formed 
themselves into a Baptist Church, securing for their use a 
school house which had been built in that part of the tewn 
now known as the Twelfth Ward. The following year they 
were organized into a church by the Rey. Daniel E. Bowen. 
William Richmond and Hugh Hughes of Picatonica, with 
thirty-six members, William P. Jones, Anna P. Jones, Lewis 
D. Lewis, Anna D. Lewis, Mary Evans, Elizabeth Jenkins, 
Mary Smith, William Hoiskins, Anna Hoiskins, Edw. Hois- 
kins, William Allen, Harriet Allen, William J. and 
Phoebe Evans, Mary Phillips, Mary Evans, Charles Ed- 
wards, Mary Williams, Owen Thomas, Richard Owens, 
Jane Owens, Evan Jones, John Hughes, John Davis, Mary 
Davis, Wiliiam R. Jones, Elizabeth Jones, John P. and 
Mary Lewis, John Edmunds, Evan Davis, Emma Davis, 
Prof. William Aubrey Powell, Thomas Powell, Margaret 
Powell and John Jones, and William P. Jones were ap- 
ppointed the deacons of the new church, and Lewis D. 
Lewis acting secretary. In 1851 it was received into the 
Association. Thus we find the church organized and ready 
for work, but the next need was that of a pastor, and this 
need was soon supplied. God always has a workman for 
his work. A brother had lately come from Wales, named - 


25 


John W. James, wko had begun to preach in Wales and 
who, among others, used to come down from Aberaman to 
Mountain Ash te preach to the young Baptist Church 
there in the early days of the pastorate of Dr. Thomas 
Price, Aberdare. Mr. James came trom St. Clair to Scran- 
ton in the year 1851 and the young church here gave him 
a call at $400.00 per year, which he accepted. 


The Lord’s blessing was manifest in the work, for prior 
to his ordination baptism was administered on two different 
occasions in the Roaring Brook by the Rev. D. E. Bowen. 
The first time three were baptized, viz.: Thomas Watkins, 
William Phillips and David Lewis. The converts the second 
time were John Thomas, Mary Lewis, Barbara Davis, Mary 
Jenkins, Ann Jenkins and Mary Hoiskins. At a business 
meeting held January 1, 1852, it was resolved to have Mr. 
John W. James ordained at the first opportunity and that 
the Revs. David Evans, Summit Hill; Benjamin Bowen, 
Pittston, and the church at Carbondale take part in the 
ordination. After the ordination of the young pastor he 
entered upon his work with energy, for such was one of the 
chief characteristics of Mr. James. After having been in 
the school hcuse for some time it was felt that they needed 
a more commedious place to worship, hence at a meeting 
held December 32, 1854, John P. Lewis, Morgan Jones and 
David L. Davis, trustees, were appointed a committee to 
negotiate with. the officers of the Scranton Iron and Coal 
Company in regard to purchasing the land upon which to 
build a church building. They were successful and pur- 
chased land on Mifflin avenue for $250.00. March 6, 1855, 
the church appointed a building committee as follows: John 
P. Lewis, John H. Davis, Isaac Walters, John F. Davis 
(ioreman) and Lewis Lewis (merchant). The committee 
repoited their work through their chairman, Lewis Lewis, 
February 17, 1856, and the report was received on behalf 
of the church on the same date by David E. Owens. The 
year 1855 is a notable one in the history of this church, 
because it was the year in which its first meeting house was 
erected, 


26 


It was also the year in which the Welsh Baptist Asso- 
ciation of Northeastern Pennsylvania was organized. From 
the year 1840 to 1855 the Welsh Baptist churches of New 
York and Eastern Pennsylvania comprised one association, 
under the name of the Welsh Baptist Association of Oneida 
and Eastern Pennsylvania. December 27th, 1855, what is 
now known as the Welsh Baptist Association of North- 
eastern Pennsylvania was organized at Scranton and Car- 
bondale. The following ministers were present: Revs. 
John P. Harris (leuan-Ddu), Minersville, Pa.; John W. 
James, Scranton; William Morgans and Richard Edwards, 
Poitsville; William Richmond, Blakeley; D. C. Thomas, 
who had just left Tremont; David Evans, Danville, and 
W. R. Jones, Summit Hill. and B. E. Bowen. The follow- 
ing ministers were present as visitors: Isaac Bevan, D. D., 
Reading, and Morris J. Williams, Utica, N. Y. Rev. John 
W. James was elected moderator and Rev. John P. Harris, 
clerk. Thus the church was honored in having the associ- 
ation here, and in having as moderator its first pastor. Mr. 
James labored iaithfully until he left for Freedom, Catta- 
raugus County, New York. In 1859 a call was extended to 
Rey. Tehophilus Jones, then of Nantmeal, Chester County, 
Pa. Mr. Jones was an able and eloquent preacher, but he 
only remained one year, and then moved to Aldenvilie. 

In 1861 a call was given to the Rev. Isaiah Davis. He 
was regarded as an excellent preacher. He left in 1863. 
In 1863 a cal! was extended to the Rev. John P. Harris 
(Ieuan Ddu), then of Freedom, Cattaraugus County, New 
York. Circumstances made it necessary now for the church 
to make an important move from what was then known as 
Scranton to Hdye Park—its present home. 

The body of the church lived at Hyde Park and it was 
evident that the growth of the Welsh population would be 
there. Hence at a business meeting held September 20, 
1863, a motion was made by Prof. William Aubrey Powell, 
and seconded by William J. Evans, that all the members 
living on the east side of the Lackawanna River hold a 
meeting to consider ‘the advisability of going with the 


27 

majority to worship in Hyde Park, and Prof. W. A. Powell 
and John H. Jones, committee, reported that they would 
keep in unity and go with the majority. Ata meeting held 
September 22, 1863, a motion was made by William 
Gregory, and seconded by William C. Williams, that the 
property be sold on Mifflin avenue. A motion was made 
by David S. Roberts, and seconded by William Gregory, 
that we ask $2,800 for the property, $1,000 down, and 
$1,000 in six months, and $800 with interest in one year. 
Also that the trustees present a copy of these resolutions to 
the German Lutherans, who anticipated purchasing. The 
proposition was accepted and the property was sold for 
$2,800. 

Henceforth the meetings were held at Hyde Park. 
Fellows Hall was rented for the Sunday services, and the 
week evening services were held at the different houses of 
the members, and blessed meetings they were. Having now 
sold the meeting house at Scranton, and having located the 
church at Hdye Park, it was necessary that they should 
have a church home, hence January, 1864, the church called 
a special meeting and the following members and friends 
were selected as a building committee: William J. Evans, 
John D. Williams, Joseph Lewis, Moses T. Rowlands, John 
J. Thomas, William Gregory, and Paul Jones, secretary. 
On March 7, 1866, David S. Roberts and Benjamin Hughes 
were added to the committee. The committee purchased a 
lot and a hail from Joseph Fellows. Having purchased the 
lot Mr. Long was selected as architect to make plans and 
specifications for the church building. 

In April, 1864, announcement was made in the Scran- 
ton newspapers for sealed proposals. They received two 
proposals, one from E. Heermans for $8,000 and one from 
Messrs. Woolsey and Hammand for $7,800. The contract 
was awarded to Edward Heermans, as the committee 
thought it best to give it to home industry. Such was the 
condition of the church when the writer became a member 
of it in 1865. Mr. Harris worked faithfully and traveled a 
great deal to solicit aid from the churches to pay for the 


28 


new meeting house, and whenever the pastor was absent 
the pulpit was supplied by the late Charles Jones and the 
writer, who were then assistant preachers in the church. 
In addition to its home work the church extended its work 
elsewhere, thus manifesting a missionary spirit. A Sunday 
school and prayer meeting and also preaching services were 
started in 1863 at Providence at what was known as the 
Notch school house and the church was organized in Feb- 
ruary, 1864. This, I think, is the eldest child of Hyde Park. 


After having labored! faithfully for two years and a 
half Mr. Harris resigned in 1866 and returned to Freedom, 
Cattaraugus County, New York. Sunday evening, Novem- 
ber 25, 1866, a call was extended to the Rev. Fred Evans 
(Ednyfed), who with his family had newly come from Llan- 
gyaidr, Wales. Mr. Evans accepted the call and entered 
the work with the most promising prospects. When Mr. 
Evans began his pastorate the Sunday services were still 
held in Fellows Hall. But it was not long before they 
began to hold ail their meetings in the basement of the new 
meeting house, which was more commodious. Mr, Evans 
was very popular with the church and the community, so 
that the congregations were very large at every service. In 
the spring of 1869 the new meeting house was dedicated, 
when the following ministers officiated: Rev. Thomas 
Price, Ph. D. (who was then on a visit to America on behalf 
of irish Missions), Rev. John P. Harris (Ieuan Ddu), Free~ 
dom, New Ycrk: Rev. John W. James, Pittston; Rev. 
Theophilus Jones and Rev. B. D. Thomas. This was a 
blessed era in the history of the church, the temporal and 
sipirtual circumstances of the people were such as to make 
all, pastor and church, happy in the work. After three 
years of faithful and prosperous service, Mr. Evans resigned 
at the close of 1869 to accept a call to the Laight Street 
Engiish Baptist Church, New York. 

In December, 1870, a call was given to the Rev. D. W. 
Morris of Cwmsarnddu, Wales, which he accepted, and 
entered immediately upon his work. Installation services 
were held December 14, when the following ex-pastors 


29 

officiated. Rev. Fred. Evans, Rey. Theophilus Jones and 
John W. James. Also William Morgans, Pottsville; Dr. 
Parry, Pittston, and Jonathan Nicholas, Parsons. Mr. 
Morris stands alone as a preacher and a writer, because of 
his singular style of preaching and writing. The church 
prospered greatly under his five-year pastorate. It was 
during his pastorate that the Fourth Ward and the Bellevue 
Sunday School Missions were started. He resigned at the 
close of 1875 and returned to Wales. 

In November, 1876, the Rev. Moses Wright was called 
from Alliance, Ohio. He began his pastorate in January, 
1877. Mr. Wright was an excellent man and a good 
preacher and rendered valuable services to the church, but 
aiter one year’s service he resigned, and was about to take 
charge at Shenandoah, when in December, 1878, he died. 

The churck remained pastorless for about four years, 
but during these years it was supplied with preaching by 
neighboring pastors. In October, 1881, the Rev. J. W. 
Williams, D. D., who had just come from Wales ,supplied 
the pulpit for two Sundays, and at the close of the second 
Sunday’s service the church gave him an unanimous call, 
which, after two months’ consideration, during which time 
Dr. Williams took a Western preaching tour, was accepted. 
He began his ministry January, 1882. Special revival 
services were immediately begun, and the church was 
greatly revived and many added to it by baptism. It was 
evident that the church had entered upon a new era of 
prosperity. 

One oi the first new and important movements entered 
upon by the new pastor was the utilizing of the latent forces 
of the church by organizing both old and young into 
different organizations. The deacons were increased in 
number and ruling elders were appointed—and this was an 
order of officers that had never existed in this church 
before. In the hand-book of the church for 1884 sixteen 
deacons and twenty-eight ruling elders are named. The 
manner in which the young people were organized and the 
work they have done is graphicaly described in a paper 


30 


which was read by Miss Elizabeth Hughes at the Jubilee 
meeting of the church held in connection with the burning 
of the mortgage of the church, June 12, 1901. I will give it 
as printed in the Scranton Tribune for June 17, 1go1: 

“In the year 1883, while the Rev. Dr. J. W. Williams 
was the pastor of this church, prominent among its mem- 
bers were many young people. Though as an organization 
not engaged in any active work for the church. One even- 
ing at a certain gathering of young ladies the conversation 
drifted to church matters and the question was asked why 
they did not do something toward helping the church, They 
soon became very enthusiastic and various plans and de- 
vices were brought forth. 

Finally Miss Annie Meredith, now departed from this 
world, suggested the making of a quilt, for which names 
were to be solicited at the sum of ten cents, then printed 
upon it. This suggestion being favorable it was at once 
adopted and the young ladies set eagerly to work. Mrs. 
Ivan J. Davis supplied the muslin for the quilt. About $60 
were netted from the affair, the quilt being afterward pre- 
sented to Rev. and Mrs. Williams. The pastor now called 
the young ladies together and a society was organized, 
called the “Young Ladies’ Lyceum.” This marks the be- 
ginning of the young people’s organization as an auxiliary. 
These meetings were held on Friday night and were 
opened by devotional exercises, after which the members 
devoted the remainder of the evening in sewing and pre- 
paring work for fairs. In March, 1884, a festival continuing 
two evenings was held, from which the sum of $225 was 
netted. And from which sum the present chandeliers were 
purchased. This society also purchased the furniture and 
the carpet for the pulpit. The total sum donated by it to 
the church was $403.05. 

The young men now, inspired by the activity of the 
young ladies, came to the conclusion that they should help 
in some way; therefore Dr. Williams invited them to 
become members of the society. The young men now 
brought in so many rules and regulations that after about 


31 
six months of strictly parliamentary forms, the society, I 
am sorry to say, proved a failure. 

For a short time afterward no society existed. Later 
the young ladies decided to try working alone. Accordingly 
another society was organized, composed of young ladies 
oniy, the name being changed to the Young Ladies’ 
League, the object being the same as the Young Ladies’ 
Lyceum. Mrs. Dr. Williams was president of this, and the 
- sum of money handed to the church from this society was 
$250. From this it can readily be seen that much energy 
prevailed among the young people at this time. 

These meetings were brought to a successful termina- 
tioa by Dr, Williams organizing a debating society com- 
posed of both sexes. These meetings were held on Friday 
night and cpened by devotional exercises, after which the 
program was of a literary nature, consisting of music, 
recitations, readings and essays from the works of the 
leading poets, also discussions on different subjects. Just 
at that time Mr. J. W. Browning, a prominent resident of 
Scranton and a member of the Penn Avenue Baptist 
Church, presented a cup to be used as a prize for debating. 
He wished to encourage debates among the different 
societies. Many are present to-night who remember how 
many an interesting evening was spent listening to those 
debates, and allow me to say here that this method was the 
means of bringing many young men and women before the 
public. 

The cup was won by our society in a series of debates; 
but, according to the rule made by the giver, the cup was to 
be forfeited when interest in debating ceased. As debating 
was discontinued during the succeeding pastorate the cup 
could no longer be retained in our possession. The Literary 
Society numbered about seventy-five members and the sum 
of five cents per month was imposed upon them to defray 
expenses. The president of this society during its existence 
was the pastor, Dr. Williams. In March, 1885, the society 
bought a map and a globe for the use of the society and 
Sunday schcol, costing $28. This period, it can be safely 


32 


said, was conspicuous for the interest and energy exhibited 
by the young people. In all lines their advancement was 
remarkable. 


Persons naturally gifted, but whose powers lay dor- 
mant, were brought forward. And some of our most 
prminent people trace their success in life back to these 
days. This society through its treasurer, Mr. James A. 
Evans, donated to the church the sum of $127.50, in addition 
to individual work, as, for instance, the selling of books 
containing 100 bricks at ten cents each. Hardly a member 
handed back the book with less than $10 worth of bricks 
sold. A very snug sum was realized from this alone.” 


Such activity as the above is worthy of being emulated 
by others. 


In addition to the spiritual, intellectual and social de- 
velopments of the church as a body, it was felt that a proper 
effort should be put forth also for the enlargement and 
beautifying of the meeting house, to accommodate the 
needs of the people; hence, at a meeting held November 3, 
1882, Rev. J. W. Williams, D. D., was chairman, and Hon. 
Jolin T. Williams, secretary. Resolved, That we consider 
the auditorium too small to contain the people in the ser- 
vices. herefore the following building committee was 
appinted to extend the building in the rear: Benjamin 
Hughes, Thomas D. Davis, John P. Lewis, William D. 
Morris, James A. Evans, Joseph Reynolds, and John W. 
Davis. The last named was treasurer of the committee. 
The above enlargement in the rear was made at an expense 
of $15,559.17. The reopening services were held Sunday 
and Monday, January 6th and 7th, 1884. Rev. Fred. Evans, 
D. D., of Franklin; D. Spencer, D. D., Scranton, Pa.; J. E. 
Jones, Pittston; D. R. Jones, and J. P. Harris preached. 
In front of the pulpit is a beautiful marble top communion 
table worth $50.00 given by Mr. and Mrs. Evan J. Davis, 
in memory of the late Deacon D: S. Roberts, uncle of Mrs. 
Davis. 


33 


John J. Williams bought the carpet for the pulpit plat- 
form. The young ladies of the church bought and pre- 
sented the chandeliers or coronas. 

The clock was presented by Mrs. J. W. Williams, Mrs. 
David C. Jones and Mrs. Morgan Boston. Miss Lucretia 
Jones placed a beautiful book mark in the Bible. 

Morris Richards, William Beddow and‘Thomas P. 
Jones furnished the three elegant pulpit chairs. The choir 
agreed to raise $600.00 in cash in three months, The Ladies’ 
Aid Society $200.00 in the same time. 

Mrs. Joseph Reynolds and Thomas Peters collected 
the money and paid for the frescoing of the church. The 
six gas brackets were bought by the choir. The Sunday 
school gave $100.00; the Bellevue Branch Sunday school, 
$50.00; the Fourth Ward Branch, $50.00; Continental 
Branch, $25.00; Young People’s Church Society, $50.00. 
(See Scranton Republican, Jan. 7, 1884.) In 1888 it was 
decided to place a new front on the church, hence the 
following appointments were made: 

Rev. J. W. Williams, chairman; Evan P. Davis, secre- 
tary, and the following committee was selected to arrange 
for the building cf a new front: Edw. E. Thomas, John 
Eppin Jones, Thomas D. Davis, Hon. John T. Williams 
(#ynon street), John H. Williams, Joseph Reynolds, 
Samuel Davis. Benjamin Hughes, Thomas Howells, Llew- 
ellyn Jenkins, John R. Davis, David A. Morgan, Evan P. 
Davis, Evan J. Davis and Thomas Jones. The following 
were selected as an executive committee: Thomas D. 
Davis, E. J. Davis, David A. Morgan, Evan P. Davis and 
John J. Morgan. Dr. J. W. Williams was chairman, and 
Benjamin Hughes was vice president; William D. Morris 
was treasurer. The above improvement cost about 
$18,000.00. All the items will be given as they were pre- 
sented by Financial Secretary Evan J. Davis. In a sketch 
of the history of the church published in “The Cambrian” 
for September, 1890, the writer states that at the com- 
mencement of the present pastorate the church consisted 
of 540 members of good standing; it now has a membership 


34 


of ever 750. In eight years nearly 800 have been received 
into fellowship. The losses by transfer to other churches, 
by death, by erasure, have been heavy, yet its numerical 
strength to-day approximates 800 communicants. 

In the last six years $32,000.00 have been expended in 
enlarging and in improving the church, of which $20,000.00 
have been paid, leaving an indebtedness of $12,000.00 on 
the property. All the contemplated extensions and renova- 
tions have been completed and the brotherhood is in posses- 
sion of one of the most commodious structures in the city. 
In the fall of 1891, after nine years of successful pastorate, 
Dr. Williams resigned and returned to Wales, amid the best 
wishes of the church and city. 

After having depended upon supplies for little more 
than a year a call was given the Rev. W. S. Jones, of 
Swansea, Wales. Mr. Jones stands in the front rank as a 
preacher. He was baptized in Pennel Church, Rhymney, 
by the late Rev. John Jones (Mathetes), and was thus 
blessed with one of the best teachers in Wales, which is a 
great advantage to a man beginning to preach. Mr. Jones 
accepted the call and entered upon his duties at once. It 
was stated that the young people had been organized 
during the former pastorate, yet changes were made during 
this pastorate. The reason and purpose of this change shall 
be given in the words of Miss Elizabeth Hughes, quoted 
from the paper already referred to: 

“In 1892 Rev. W. S. Jones of Wales became our 
pastor. Interest at once sprang anew and the meetings 
were continued as before. After a period of about two 
years, during which time excellent meetings had been held, 
it was feared that perhaps the young people were growing 
more literary inclined than religiously, so the meetings 
were changed from literary to devotional, Shortly after this 
the Baptist Young People’s Union, in connection with the 
Welsh Baptist Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 
was organized November 21, 1893. Societies were being 
organized in the different churches, therefore it was decided 
to organize one in our church, to be known as the Baptist 


a5 


Young People’s Union, the meetings to be held as formerly, 
Friday night. This was in 1894. The motto of the Union 
was “Loyalty to Christ,” and its object was the edification 
in scriptural knowledge instruction in Baptist doctrine and 
history, their increase spiritually, their stimulation in Chris- 
tian service and their enlistment in all missionary activity 
through existing denominational organization. This was 
the beginning of the Baptist Young People’s Union and 
the direct outgrowth of the Literary Society. The nature 
of these meetings was purely devotional, topic cards con- 
taining the names of the leaders and the subjects being 
distributed among the members. In this way all persons 
were prepared to speak on the subject of the evening, and 
interspersed with music and recitations were very interest- 
ng. Occasienally a lecture or a talk by one of the older 
members of the church was given. Kindly allow me at this 
point to drift a little from my subject to say that a Bible 
class was organized at this time. And that it also was very 
successful. 

These meetings continued with no change until 1897, 
when Mr. Jones also bade farewell and sailed for his native 
home, “after a period of four years of religious prosperity 
among the young people.” In the spring of 1897 Mr. Jones 
resigned in order to accept a call which he had received 
irom Carmarthenshire, Wales. And he returned to his 
native land with the best wishes of the church and the 
association. 

In 1899 a call was extended to the Rev. D. D. Hopkins 
Pontarddulais, Wales. Mr. Hopkins came highly recom- 
mended as a Christian and preacher of the Gospel. 

Tuesday evening, November 21, 1899, a public wel- 
come meeting was keld by the church and the Association, 
which was then holding its semi-annual meeting at Scran- 
ton (Hyde Park). The late honored Deacon B. Hughes 
presided. The meeting was opened with prayer by the 
Rev. H. H. Harris, Ph. D., of Taylor (English Church). 
Addresses were made in behalf of the church by Brother 
Benjamin Beddoe, Thomas Williams and Edward Thomas. 


36 


Thomas G. Williams sang a pleasing solo, accompanied by 
Mrs. D. B. Thomas. , 

Addresses in behalf of the Association were made by 
the following ministers: Revs. W. D. Thomas, Pittston; 
Wiiliam F. Davies, North Scranton; the Rey. Charles 
Jones, M. A., D. I. Evans, Shenandoah; John T. Griffiths, 
Lansford; Rev. Edw. Jenkins, Jermyn, and E, Edwards, 
Allentown. Thus Mr. Hopkins was welcomed to the 
church and the Association, and his ministry here was pros- 
perous and greatly blessed to the church and the city. He 
had the united support of young and old. Wednesday 
evening, June 12, 1901, the church held a special Jubilee 
service, at which the mortgage of the church was burned 
and the church declared free from all debts. At this meet- 
ing two interesting papers were read in connection with the 
other exercises, in which the work of the church in its 
different aspects was reviewed from the beginning. One 
paper was read by Mr. Evan J. Davis, the financial secre- 
tary, and the other by Miss Elizabeth Hughes. The follow- 
ing financial statement is quoted from the paper of Mr. 
Evan J. Davis: 

THE FINANCIAL REPORT. 


The receipts and disbursements for the front addition 
were as follows: 


RECEIPTS: 

Received from general collections............ $ 2,443 00 
Received from Caradoc’s concert............ 810 38 
Received from the Ladies’ Aid Society ....... 1,292 00 
Received from the Young Ladies’ Lyceum.... 403 O05 
Received from Young Ladies’ League........ 250 00 
Received from Home Workers ............5 30 00 
Received as donation for new windows....... 140 OO 
Received from the choir ..).....5... .-. s.ee 300 00 
Received from re-dedicating services ........ 2,676 26 
Received as loan on property, bond and mort- 

PAE Les Lee ee Hee he 9,850 00 
Received from old heater bought by Olyphant 

Chiarcht feds 2k Sees ee. ee 75 00 


™ 37 


DISBURSEMENTS. 

Paid for new front to contractors ............ a7 Ae 
Heuewansteatt heater ...................... : es os 
PPemOiMew OFlan . 2.66)... eee eee 2,782 99 
Peo WINGO WS TL. kbc ove c ccc cucu. 1,023 63 
RPMEDRCIMLCCE Naboo. ek hones ec eclck le. ‘471 65 
Paid for work outside of building ........... 352137 
Paid for painting, printing, etc............... 636 85 
Paid for interest on bond and mortgage...... 469 25 
eeemiemedt pers ClO)! ieee cei eee cece. 107 00 
Paid for loan to West Side Bank ............ 500 00 
Paid to William D. Morris, treasurer ......... 1,038 42 

TE ool Ak ee $ 18,273 23 
Leaving the church property in debt by bond 

PEREOMOTE SASS Ge ee ccc sede swe 9,080 00 


In summing up I will give a brief statement of the 
cost of the church property as it stands to-day: 


Seeumd ior church building ................ $ 900 00 
Mitemmaim buildine cost ..... 2... cc. ec ee ee 8,181 00 
CLS CS8r Sve a 15,559 87 
PManEAGGILION . 6. ee ee ce cee eek 18,273 23 
(PEL 2 so Sei OUCe ee a $ 42,914 10 
Total running expenses from 1866 to 1900 (34 
ee Ne ieee sta ahs 6 one) ade $111,104 36 
DESI 5245. RASH $154,018 46 


The church owns a mission property in the Fourth 
Ward worth $2,000, which makes the value of church 
property $44,910.10. 

This is an excellent report, as it shows the healthy 
condition of the church at this time. The following extract 
is taken from the paper of Miss Hughes, which shows the 
pleasant relationship between the young people and the 
pastor and the older portion of the church: 

“Tn 1899 we were glad to welcome our present pastor, 
Rey. D. D. Hopkins, for we had been long without a coun- 
sellor and guide. The society was once again revived and 
meetings continued on the same plan as before. 


38 


\ 

During the summer it was deemed best to discontinue 
them, in order to unite with the general prayer and confer- 
ence meeting of the church. At the opening of the next 
session the manner of conducting the meetings was slightly 
changed. 

The study of the Sunday school lessons was taken up, 
aithough still adhering to the principles of the Baptist 
Young People’s Union. Under the efficient tutorship of 
our pastor this has proved beneficial, it being a preparation 
for the Sunday teaching, also imparting more Scriptural 
knowledge on the different characters of the New Testa- 
ment. In conclusion, let me say that the Baptist Young 
People’s Union has already given abundant reasons for its 
existence. It is comparatively young, and with active, 
faithful members we cannot but hope for success 
and also m greater international growth. To the best 
of my knowledge, the persons who have served as presi- 
dents of the young people since their first organization 
are as follows: Mr. Evan J. Davis, Rev. J. W. Williams, 
Mrs. Rev. Williams, Mrs. Evan J. Davis, Rev. W. S. Jones, 
Mrs. Emily ISvans-Robathan, Prof. James R. Hughes, Mr. 
John M. Edwards, Mr. Luther Lewis, Mr. D. J. Davis, and 
at the present time, our pastor, Rev. D. D. Hopkins. The 
present membership on the roll is 80 persons. In regard to 
the finincial part, the societies have labored long and ear- 
nestly toward the liquidation oi the debt, which has so long 
hovered o'er them. From time to time they have given 
entertainments and socials, from which various sums of 
money have been netted; and the sum total which these 
societies have contributed toward the church is approxi- 
mately $1,000. 

In regard to the religious growth of the young people 
we can say that it has been very gratifying, nearly all are 
members of the church, and many a young man and woman 
have received blessings which will in the dim vista of the 
future be refreshing to their memory and the means of 
adding strength to their later years. And now as we look 
back upon the past we recall the names of many of the or- 


39 


ganizers of this society, now prominent men and women in 
the world. Some are physicians, some lawyers, some min- 
isters of the gospel, some teachers, and some in far away 
climes, all busily engrossed in the cares of the world, while 
last, but not least, are those who are busy and happy in that 
great and noble sphere—‘Home Life;” but, I am glad to 
say, each 7m their different spheres are not too busy to still 
follow Christ; and while they do not visit us as of yore, 
they are remembered by the work they have done. It has 
been my pleasure to hear some of them say, “What I am I 
owe to the influence of the Young Peple’s Society of the 
First Welsh Baptist Church.” 


We also think lovingly and cherish the sweet memory 
of those members whom God has called home; and while 
we toil here on earth, they rest from their labors, and are 
nw happily awaiting our coming, until God shall have done 
with us on earth. Be it said of them, “Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord,” and, though we have labored long 
and unceasingly, and to-night behold the fruits of it, still we 
will not stop here, but will continue to march upward and 
onward, for as Railey, one of the poets, has said: 


“We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; 
In feelings, not figures on a dial; 

We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives 
Who thinks most—feels the noblest, acts the best.” 


Mr. Hopkins continued as pastor of the church until 
March, 1g03, when he left Scranton to take charge of the 
Zion Welsh Baptist Church at Porth, Rhondda Valley, 
Wales. Before his departure the church gave him a fare- 
well reception, at which he was presented with many valu- 
able gifts as tokens of the esteem in which he was held by 
the church. After the departure of Mr. Hopkins, the 
church depended on supplies until the spring of 1905, when 
the Rev. J. Cromwell Hughes, B. A., pastor of the Bethesda 
Baptist Church, Swansea, Wales, accepted their call. In 
the meantime, between the departure of Mr. Hopkins and 
the coming of Mr. Hughes, the meeting house had been 
renovated and beautified inside and outside and in May, 
1905, the Welsh Baptist Association of Northeastern Penn- 


40 


sylvania held its Jubilee meetings with this church, all of 
which shows the activity and prosperity of the church even 
in its pastorless state. 


Mr. Hughes was born December 2, 1876, at Blaenau, 
Ffestiniog, North Wales, on Cromwell street. He was the 
first ever born on this street, hence he was named “Crom- 
weil.” His parents’ names were John and Grace Hughes, 
both from Anglesea, North Wales—the father is a deacon 
in the Calvary Baptist Church at the above place. He was 
baptized at the age of 14 by the Rev. T. T. Hughes, now of 
Rhos, Mountainash, but then pastor of the Calvary Baptist 
Church, Blaenau, Ffestiniog. He began to preach at the 
same place in July, 1895. He received his elementary edu- 
cation at his native home. At the age of 14 he served as a 
teacher at the Glanypwll School, and in December, 1894, he 
won the Queen’s Scliclarship and entered the Day Training 
Department at Bangor University in September, 1895, and 
earned a First Class Certificate for Schoolmaster and 
passed his Intermediate B. A. in June, 1897, securing also 
in June, 1898, his Special Merit Schoolmaster Certificate. 
In September, 1898, he was selected out of 37 candidates for 
the position of assistant principal in a school at Clifton 
Bristol, and thirteen months later accepted a similar ap- 
pointment at Colwyn Bay, North Wales. He entered 
Bangor Baptist Theological College, September, 1900; he 
remained here until June, 1903, when he passed his final 
examination for B. A. In the spring of 1903 he received 
a unanimous call from the Bethesda Baptist Church, 
Swansea, South Wales, and began his ministry there in 
July, 1903. This church is one of the oldest Baptist 
churches of Wales, founded originally at Ilston in 1649 by 
the Rev. John Myles, who came to Massachusetts in 1663 
and was the founder of the family in America from which 
our noble Lieutenant General Nelson A. Myles comes. This 
church has been served by such eminent ministers as 
Joseph Harris (Gomer), Daniel Davies, D. D., the noted 
blind preacher; R. A. Jones, A. J. Parry, D. D., and E. 
Edmunds, now secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales. It 


41 


was an honor to sticceed such men. He remained here 
until April 30th, when he resigned to accept the call from 
the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton, Pa. His 
resignation was accepted with extreme reluctance and re- 
gret, because during the nearly two years he had been very 
successful in a spiritual and financial sense. 

He preached his first sermon in Scranton Sunday, June 
25, 1905, from 2 Thes. 3:1—an abstract of which was pub- 
lished in the Scranton Republican, Monday, June 26. 
Monday evening, October 2, a public reception was given 
by the church, at which addresses were delivered by rep- 
resentatives of the church, the Welsh and English Baptist 
Associations and the city. He has started here under very 
favorable prospects and we hope that the union of pastor 
and church will continue happily for many years with God’s 
blessing. 


CHORISTERS AND ORGANISTS. 


As far as I have been able to find out the following 
have served as choristers and organists of this church :— 

The first chorister and organist was the well known 
Prof. W. Aubrey Powell. He and his wife were among 
the leading singers of America in their day. William J. 
Evans and Edward E. Thomas were the leaders when the 
writer came to the church in 1865. Later came Henry P. 
Davies, Robert J. Jones, W. E. Evans (W. E. Evans is the 
father of Prof. Hayden Evans of Scranton), Dr. D. J. J. 
Mason, now of Wilkes-Barre; W. W. Evans and the present 
chorister, Thomas G. Thorburn. 

Organists—As stated above Prof. W. A. Powell was 
the first. He has been succeeded by David O. Lewis, Mrs. 
Lewis E. Davies. a sister of Prof. Powell; Miss E'sther 
Hughes, daughter of the late beloved B. Hughes, now 
Mrs. John Evans, widow of the late Rev. John Evans of 
Westerly R. I.; Miss Maggie Hopkins, late daughter of 
Deacon John and Jane Hopkins; Miss Jennie Thomas, late 
daughter of Deacon E. E. Thomas; Mr. Edward Protheroe, 
Miss Mary J. Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Davis, 


42 


now wife of Dr. T. W. Jenkins, Albany, N. Y.; Mrs. D. B. 
Thomas, Elizabeth Hughes, and the present one is Miss 
Ehzabeth Hughes: assistant, Blanche Gealy. 

Others might be named as having rendered efficient 
service—the beloved John S. Edwards. killed in Diamond 
Mines in 1868. 


THE PREACHERS RAISED IN THIS CHURCH. 


It is the duty of the church to pray for, and seek 
laborers for the harvest. Matt. 9:38. This church has 
sought out several, and sent them out into the harvest. 


REV. THOMAS SEYSE. 


Mr. Seyse was born at Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, 
Wales, January 1, 1835. He was a son of George and Jane 
Seyse. He was baptized when quite young at Kidwelly by 
the Rev. John Reynolds. When about 14 years he came 
to America and settled in Scranton. He was here during 
the pastorate of John W. James, and as he was a bricklayer 
by trade he helped to build the little chapel on Mifflin 
avenue, Scranton. January 10, 1861, he was married to 
Miss Anna Rowlands, daughter of Moses Tudor Row- 
lands and Mary R. Rowlands, natives of Anglsea, Wales. 
The Rev. Theophilus Jones married them. In the tai of 
1862 he entered Bucknell University. In September, 1865, 
he was ordained at Blakely, Pa. The most of his ministerial 
life was spent in Western New York, where he died at 
Strykersville, N. Y., April 11, 1903, and was buried at Java 
Village Cemetery, New York, April 14. He was an excel- 
lent man and a wise and able preacher and left a healthy 
Christian influence behind in all of his pastorates. 


REV. CHARLES JONES. 


The name of Mr. Jones is well and kindly remembered 
by many who are still in the church. He was baptized into 
the fellowship of this church by the Rev. Isaiah Davis. He 
began to preach under the Rev. John P. Harris in 1865. 
He preached his second sermon in a prayer meeting held 


43 


that week at the house of the writer on Eynon street (now), 
but Patagonia then. He graduated in Bucknell University 
in 1871 and was ordained the same year at Blossburg. He 
died at Nanticoke, Pa., April 17, 1900, and was buried at 
Washburn Street Cemetery, Scranton, Pa., April 21, 1900. 
At the time of his death he was the moderator of the Asso- 
ciation. 
REV, ff: GRIFFITHS. 


J. T. Griffith was baptized at Pisgah Pyle, Glamorgan- 
shire, Wales, July 20, 1859, by the late Rev. John Roberts 
(Roberts Fawr), a: as he was called. He was noted for his 
eloquence. He began to preach at the same place under 
the pastorate cf the immortal Rev. John Jones (Mathetes), 
who succeeded Mr. Roberts at Pisgah. He came to Hyde 
Park from Mountain Ash in 1865 with a letter from the 
Rhos Church, stating that he had begun to preach in the 
Gyfeillach (Society), and after his arrival at Hyde Park he 
had to preach a trial sermon at the prayer meeting, which 
was held that week at the house of William Williams, who 
then lived at the upper end of Hyde Park; text, Lam. 4:2. 
From that time on he preached regularly in public as op- 
portunity afforded. He feels greatly indebted to the Rev. 
J. P. Harris (Ienau Ddu), then pastor, and Rev. Fred. 
Evans, D. D., his successor, and to the church for encour- 
agernents received. He entered Bucknell and Crozer 
Seminary and left the latter in 1869 for Newburgh, Ohio. 
There he was ordained August 22nd, 1869. He was the 
first Welshman at Crozer and the first student to leave it 
for the ministry. 


REV. W. F. DAVIES. 


Mr. Davies was baptized at Zion, Merthyr, Wales, by 
the Rev. Cornelius Griffiths. He was one of the founders 
of Nddfa, Treosky, Wales, now under the care of Rev. W. 
Morris, D. D. (Rhosynog), but then under the care of the 
Rey. J. Rufus Williams as a branch of Nebo. He preached 
there once a month. Mr. Davies began to preach at Nan- 
ticoke, Pa., in 1872, and came to Hyde Park in 1873. In 


of 
4] 


44 


1875 he went to Bucknell and in 1878 left Crozer Theo- 
logical Seminary and accepted a call at Nanticoke the same 
year. From 1878 until now he has labored at Nanticoke 
and Previdence, now North Scranton, where he is still 
pastor of the Welsh Memorial Church. 


MR. EBENEZER LLOYD. 


Mr. Lloyd began to preach about the same time as the 
Rev. W. F. Davies. Though Mr. Lloyd never errered the 
practical ministry but followed his calling as a mine boss, 
yet he preached much. He died at Edwardsville in the 
summer of 1900 and was buried at Forty Fort. At the 
time of his death he was mine foreman at the Woodnward 
Mine. 


PROF. JAMES R. HUGHES: 


Mr. Hughes was born at Minersville, Pa. He became 
a member of the church during 1882. He entered Keystone 
Academy in 1887. He was licensed to preach by the First 
Welsh Baptist Church in 1889. He graduated from Buck- 
nell University in 1894. He has been in a sense an assistant 
to the pastor ever since he was licensed. Though he is a 
professor at the public schools of Scranton, he preaches 
frequently and is much in demand. 


iTS MISSION WORK. 


Situated as this church is, both in its historical and 
geographical aspects, it has been and still is in a position to 
be of great service in doing mission work, both in the val-— 
leys of Lackawanna and Wyoming—and this it has done— 
it has been helpful in planting Welsh Baptists in the Wyo- 
ming Valley from Pittston down, and in the Lackawanna 
Valley from Taylor up. In 1864 it organized the First 
Welsh Baptist Church of what was then known as Provi- 
dence, but now known as West Market street, Scranton; 
in 1869 it organized the Welsh Baptist Church of Taylor, 
and it has now two missions in the city, the Fourth Ward 
and Bellevue, and it has representatives in its scattered 


45 


members throughout the States. It is now passing 
through great changes like all Welsh churches as to lan- 
guage, but whatever may be its future language it can 
never free itself from the obligations to its noble Welsh 
founders who planted its principles in this valley, yea, in 
the United States. May the God of the fathers and the 
mothers be still the God of the children. 


“Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy 
gates.” 


PRESENT OFFICERS. 


RASTOR: 
Rev. J. Cromwell Hughes, B. A. 


DEACONS. 


EK. E. Thomas, Joseph Reynolds, E. J. Davis, James A. 
Evans, Henry P. Davies, J. H. Kelly, J. J. Morgan, Peter 
Geaiey, James R. Hughes, John L. Jenkins, Samuel R. 
Jones, David Vaughen, Thomas M. Jones, John J. Hopkins. 


TRUSTEES: 


Henry P. Davies—Chairman. 
Joseph Reynolds, J. H. Kelly, J. J. Morgan, Peter 
Gealey, E. E. Thomas. 


Treasurer of the School—John L. Jenkins. 
Corresponding Secretary—E. E. Thomas. 
Financial Secretary—Evan J. Davis. 


SUNDAY SCHOOL. 


General Superintendent—John D. Phillips. 

Superintendent of Mother School—John Slugg. 

Superintendent of Fourth Ward Mission—David Jen- 
kins. 

Superintendent of Bellevue Mission—David Evans. 


46 
AUXILIARIES, 


B. Ys Poi, 


Reorganized October, 1905. 
President—Rev. B. C. Hughes, B. A. 
Vice Presidents—Mr. Thomas J. Thomas and Mrs. 
EK. E. Robathan. 
Secretary—Miss Elizabeth Lewis. 
Treasurer—Miss Jennie Jenkins. 
Chorister—Miss Elizabeth Lewis. 
Librarian—Mr. David Horburn. 
Pianist—Miss Blanche Gealy. 


LITERARY SOCIETM 


President—Rev. B. C. Hughes, B. A. 

Vice Presidents—Prof. J. R. Hughes and J. J. Davies. 
Secretary—Miss Bertha Kelly. 

Pianist—Miss Blanche Gealy. 


CHORISTER OF PUBLIC SERVIGES; 


Thomas G. Thorburn. 
Organist—Elizabeth Hughes. 
Assistant—Blanche Gealy. 
Membership in May, 1905—430. 


REV. WILLIAM RICHMOND BLAKELY, THE 
FOUNDER OF THE FIRST WELSH BAPTIST 
CHURCH OF SCRANTON—1793-1857. 


Through the courtesy of Mr. James A. Evans and the 
kindness of his pastor, the Rev. J. Cromwell Hughes, 
B. A., in writing the facts furnished him by Mr. Evans, I 
am permitted to print for the first time a complete sketch 
of this noble man, and no place could have been more fitting 
for this than in connection with a sketch of the First Welsh 
Baptist Church of Scranton. Brief sketches of all the other 
deceased pastors of the church except Isaiah Davies may 


47 


be found in the writer’s “Brief Biographical Sketches of 
the Welsh Baptist Ministers of Northeastern Pennsyl- 
vania. Jepaig Ge 

“The following biography of the above good servant of 
the Lord is based on notes found here and there in old 
copies of the “Seren Orllewinol,” diligently searched by 
Mr. James A. Evans of Hyde Park, Scranton, who deserves 
every credit for his indefatigable labors in bringing to light 
these authentic facts. Mr. Evans also came to the knowl- 
edge of important facts—hitherto unknown—during his 
sojourn in Wales this summer (1905). Mr. Evans himself 
is a native of Llanwenarth and was a member of the old 
Baptist Church cof that place where William Richmond 
commenced to preach. He says that Llanwenarth was for 
generations the Baptist Jerusalem and he can recall people 
attending services on communion Sundays who had trav- 
eled twenty miles to reach the favored spot. 

While in Wales Mr. Evans had an interview with a 
daughter to William Richmond’s brother, who lives now in 
Tonyrefail, South Wales. Her name is Mrs. Jane Jones. 
She was bern in 1824, so she is now &1 years old. She 
remembers her uncle bidding farewell to her father on his 
departure for America. She was then but six years old. 
Mr. Evans also found out the exact place of. William Rich- 
mond’s birthplace, viz.: in a cottage called Penmuarth, be- 
- tween Crickhowell and Llangynidr, in the year 1793. A 
sister of William Richmond married a Mr. William 
Gwynne, Pantybailey Farm by Llangynidr, and his family 
still live there. Richmond’s father and mother are buried 
in the old graveyard of the Baptists at Llangynidr. They 
were baptized by Dr. John Jenkins of Hen Goed. 

Thus we know that the Rev. W. Richmond was the 
son of John and Isabella Richmond. He married Miss 
Mary Jones of Llanelly Brecon. 

William Richmond was a zealous member of the old 
Baptist Church of Llanwenarth, also he preached there, and 
the probability is that he was fully ordained before he de- 
parted for America. The date of his ordination Mr, Evans 


48 


could not find—the record of the old church for that year— 
1830—having been lost. 

Richmond landed in Philadelphia in 1830; went to 
Blakely and worked there on a farm with Mr. Callender, 
who built the Callender Baptist Memorial Church in 1832, 
and it is there at the present day. 

In time Mr. Richmond bought a farm himself in 
Blakely and lived on it until his death, working with his 
hands, and like Paul of old, planting new churches through- 
out the Lackawanna Valley and to Summit Hill and 
Minersville en the back of his old horse—Little Charlie. 
He thus worked and traveled for 27 years. His custom was 
to supply the weak Baptist churches while they were with- 
out a minister and to organize new churches and to take 
care of them until they had a minister. Oh, what a glorious 
and self-sacrificing spirit! It was William Richmond that 
had charge of the First Welsh Baptist Church at Scranton, 
Pa., before it was received into the Association in October, 
1851, at a meeting of the Association in Carbondale in 1851. 
Also he had charge of Dunmore Church and many others. 

I give the following facts from the minutes of the Asso- 
ciation of the Welsh Baptists of Eastern Pennsylvania and 
County of Oneida, C. N. as they appear in “Seren Orlle- 
winol” for December, 1851: 

October 18th, the ministers and delegates met in con- 
ference, which was opened by reading and prayer by Rev. 
William Richmond in the sanctuary of the Welsh Baptists 
at Carbondale, Pa. 


RECORDED 


(1) That there is a young church in Scranton, but up 
to this time without a house of worship to themselves. Our 
brother, William Richmond, labors among them and their 
pastoral care is chiefly upon him. 

(2) Also we have a young sister church at Dunmore, 
where labors the brethren, William R. Jones and Thomas 
Cheshire, lay preachers. 


49 
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE, «8s. / BS 


(1) That the church in Scranton be received into 
membership in the Association. Number of members, 46. 


(2) Also Dunmore Church, with 18 members, and 
Pittston Church, with 62 members. 


William Richmond preached his last sermon at Car- 
bendale the Sabbath before he died. This text was Job 
14:10, “But man dieth and wasteth away,” &c. He died at 
his home the following Sabbath, October, 1857, and his 
last words were, “The river is broad, but not deep.” 


William Richmond was a disciple of the old Francis 
Hiley of Llanwenarth, and Hiley’s image was upon him and 
he drank deeply cf his spirit. 


It is also recorded that William Richmond married a 
second time on November 3, 1851, Miss Sarah Parry Scott. 


I give below a copy of a resolution that was passed in 
the Welsh Baptist Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, 
which held its third sitting in Carbondale Oct. 9, 1858: 


“Whereas, Our Almighty Father has seen best during 
the last year to take away from us unto Himself the old 
pilgrim—our dear brother and faithful servant of the Lord 
Jesus Christ—William Richmond— 


Resolved, That, feeling deeply his loss, we beg to 
testify to his hcnorable service as a servant of our Lord, 
hoping that his Christian walk through this life, his enthusi- 
asm for truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and his loyalty under 
all circumstances to the cause of our Lord Jesus, will have 
its due influence over the churches as well as over the min- 
isters who are left to labor further in the Vineyard of our 
Great Saviour. 


‘The above was unanimously agreed to by the confer- 
ence, (Signed) 


J. P. HARRIS, Secretary. 


50 


The following also appeared in the “Seren Orlle- 
winol” for December, 1857, from the pen of Rey. J. W. 
James: 


THE DEATH OF REV. WILLIAM RICHMOND. 


He passed away the 20th of October, 1857, at Blakely. 
The remains were taken care of by a host of friends and 
placed in the cemetery at Carbondale on the 23rd of the 
same month, when the following ministers were present: 
Rev. J. W. James, Scranton (B.); Rev. O. Burkenyon, 
Blakely (B.); Rev. D. Hughes, Providence (B.); Rev. L. 
Williams, Carbondale (Cong.); Rev. David Williams, Car- 
bondale (M. E.); Rev. John Davis, Carbondale. 

Rev. J. W. James preached in Welsh, Rev. O, Burken- 
yon in English, and the Rev. L. Williams, officiated at the 
cemetery. 

i now give an extract from an eulogy by Isaac Bevan 
(once pastor of Penn Avenue Church, Scranton and a native 
of Llanwenarth) upon Richmond and published in the 
Western Star February 1, 1858: 

“His natural ‘and unassuming manner compelled one to 
love him, very seldom have I met a man who was better 
conversant with the Scriptures. His thoughts were such 
that brought out some of the most original and descriptive 
ideas. There are many men to-day with the title of ‘D. D.’ 
who have not attained within the one-hundredth part of the 
Biblical knowledge of Rev. Mr. Richmond. To me this 
earth is somewhat empty without him and before long I 
expect to see him in his heavenly robes and share in his 


glory.” 


51 


To close I give a few verses in Welsh from an elegy 
upon his death which appeared in the “Seren Orllewinol” 
for May, 1858, by William Morgan, Pottsville: 


“Yr oedd eu athrylith 
Yr bur adnabyddus 
Ei fywyd cyhoeddus 
Yr addas a gweddus 
Ei holl ddrychfeddyliau 
Oedd wriddiol a chryfion 
Cyfeiria ei eirau 
Er cyrhaedd y galon 
Nid oedd dim gwag ymffrost 
Na rhodres gwageddol 
Na dim yn cymylu 
Ei fywyd defnyddiol 
Mae cof am Ei ddoniau 
Mewn liawer cymanfa 
Fi Eiraw’n diferu 
Eel gwlith ar wyrdd lysiau 
Mae ’nawr mewn hwy! nefol 
Yn moli y Duwdod 
Trwy rym y cyfryngwr 
Yn nhrefn Cymmod.” 
—Heddwceh iw lwch. 
J. CROMWELL HUGHES, 
Scranton, Pa. 


Nov. 24, 1905. 


P.S. There is one member in the church now whom 
Rey. W. Richmond baptized—Mrs. Ann Lizzie Davies. 
fe yG: 


FINAL NOTE. 


I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Brthren 
E. E. Thomas, E. J. Davis and James A. Evans, whom I 
have intimately known in this church for more than forty 
years. ° 


52 


I have made use also of ever 
able to find pertaining to this churns ” 
the “Dawn” and Scranton papers, sue 
Republican, and I now present it as_ 
church with which I united in April, 
I entered the ministry in August, 1869. 


JOHN T 
Edwardsdale, Pa., November 21, I 


Syracuse, N. Y. 
Stockton, Calif. 


ST 
D01348151N 


